I wonder how many good Toronto born players would sign here if not for the media.
- Feeling Glucky?

Yes because the media is responsible for the team being crap for the past 40 plus years.
Funny thing is the media isn't a whole lot different than in Vancouver or Montreal

Good hires

I actually don't doubt Tavares playing with the Leafs. I'm not holding my breath, but if NYI hasn't built a contender around him by the time he hits UFA status then they don't deserve him.

Not to insinuate Toronto will have a contender by 2018, but I imagine they would make a substantial push to get him.
- BetterCallSaul

I don't see either coming to toronto, I would think by the time they are ufa's that they would want to sign with a contender

Plus by then they'll be 11-12 million dollar players and the leafs will most likely be capped out with bad contracts and players

I don't see either coming to toronto, I would think by the time they are ufa's that they would want to sign with a contender

Plus by then they'll be 11-12 million dollar players and the leafs will most likely be capped out with bad contracts and players
- Fakepartofme

Such an optimist

Yes because the media is responsible for the team being crap for the past 40 plus years.
Funny thing is the media isn't a whole lot different than in Vancouver or Montreal
- Fakepartofme

Media and fan pressure play a massive role in detering star players from wanting to play in these markets. Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal included.

Such an optimist
- Conquest

It's just probable that's all.
How many super star players make it to ufa?

Media and fan pressure play a massive role in detering star players from wanting to play in these markets. Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal included.
- systemtool

I haven't read anywhere that the above was true. Show me one star player that turned down a contract for either team strictly because of the media.
It could be a small factor for a small percentage of players, but it's mainly an excuse by the fans.

I don't see either coming to toronto, I would think by the time they are ufa's that they would want to sign with a contender

Plus by then they'll be 11-12 million dollar players and the leafs will most likely be capped out with bad contracts and players
- Fakepartofme

You've lost complete hope for the world, haven't you? When was your last hug? I mean, a really nice long hug?

I haven't read anywhere that the above was true. Show me one star player that turned down a contract for either team strictly because of the media.
It could be a small factor for a small percentage of players, but it's mainly an excuse by the fans.
- Fakepartofme

The fact no star free agent has chosen one of these big pressure cooker markets in eons speaks volumes. It's more of a reality than you're willing to admit, and that's fine. I don't need you to co-sign on what is so blatantly obvious. You're not going to find players openly slamming Canadian markets and bragging how they don't want to play there, but the evidence and message is there in a plethora of more subtle ways.

I haven't read anywhere that the above was true. Show me one star player that turned down a contract for either team strictly because of the media.
It could be a small factor for a small percentage of players, but it's mainly an excuse by the fans.
- Fakepartofme

Seriously? Numerous players have said it is a factor. Hell spezza just asked for a trade out of Ottawa for exactly this reason.

Is it the only reason some players don't sign? Of course not, but it's a negative, and it's a factor. Just like taxes, climate, and team success.

You've lost complete hope for the world, haven't you? When was your last hug? I mean, a really nice long hug?
- gravyface

Ah so cute.

I bet that not only took you a while to think of, but you actually thought it was funny as well.
So how many superstar elite players have made it to ufa?

Seriously? Numerous players have said it is a factor. Hell spezza just asked for a trade out of Ottawa for exactly this reason.

Is it the only reason some players don't sign? Of course not, but it's a negative, and it's a factor. Just like taxes, climate, and team success.
- Big_Lightnin

Like I said it could be a factor, but isn't a "massive" factor that toronto fans believe it to be

Ah so cute.

I bet that not only took you a while to think of, but you actually thought it was funny as well.
So how many superstar elite players have made it to ufa?
- Fakepartofme

In the last 5 years?

Kovalchuk, Suter, Parise... Clarkson.

The fact no star free agent has chosen one of these big pressure cooker markets in eons speaks volumes. It's more of a reality than you're willing to admit, and that's fine. I don't need you to co-sign on what is so blatantly obvious. You're not going to find players openly slamming Canadian markets and bragging how they don't want to play there, but the evidence and message is there in a plethora of more subtle ways.
- systemtool

I hear your point and I believe that the media is a part of it, but the #1 reason is...



US taxes < CDN taxes

Like I said it could be a factor, but isn't a "massive" factor that toronto fans believe it to be
- Fakepartofme

Nobody said it was a "massive" factor. At least, not enough to suggest Leaf fans believe it. After all, you're in that Leaf fan boat too, so do you believe it?

Most of us accept it as a detriment, not the single defining factor.

I hear your point and I believe that the media is a part of it, but the #1 reason is...



US taxes < CDN taxes
- As_I_See_It

There are so many factors.

You've lost complete hope for the world, haven't you? When was your last hug? I mean, a really nice long hug?
- gravyface

Stop looking for excuses to rub your sick twisted little boner on people.

We've been through this!

The fact no star free agent has chosen one of these big pressure cooker markets in eons speaks volumes. It's more of a reality than you're willing to admit, and that's fine. I don't need you to co-sign on what is so blatantly obvious. You're not going to find players openly slamming Canadian markets and bragging how they don't want to play there, but the evidence and message is there in a plethora of more subtle ways.
- systemtool

Really? Ya the sedins didn't resign in their prime with Vancouver. Montreal hasn't had it fair share of star players, same with toronto in the 90's.
Get a grip on reality, the media is everywhere, twitter is everywhere, it's no longer big markets that have media scrutiny. Sure they may have more but it's has much of an an issue as you want it to be.
Elite superstar players don't sign with losing teams (for the most part, unless it's for money)and they usually sign with their draft team if the team is successful or they weren't traded

Not if he wants to win a cup he doesn't.
- Beachcomber

The first step to winning a cup is acquiring elite talent, so his very presence would increase the chances of it significantly, both through his direct contributions on the ice, and indirectly due to the other talented players who would be more likely to sign with the team with him already aboard.

The fact no star free agent has chosen one of these big pressure cooker markets in eons speaks volumes. It's more of a reality than you're willing to admit, and that's fine. I don't need you to co-sign on what is so blatantly obvious. You're not going to find players openly slamming Canadian markets and bragging how they don't want to play there, but the evidence and message is there in a plethora of more subtle ways.
- systemtool

True that.

If it wasn't for Bozak, Kessel would've hit UFA. No question.

Really? Ya the sedins didn't resign in their prime with Vancouver. Montreal hasn't had it fair share of star players, same with toronto in the 90's.
Get a grip on reality, the media is everywhere, twitter is everywhere, it's no longer big markets that have media scrutiny. Sure they may have more but it's has much of an an issue as you want it to be.
Elite superstar players don't sign with losing teams (for the most part, unless it's for money)and they usually sign with their draft team if the team is successful or they weren't traded
- Fakepartofme

The 90s media is tame and mild compared to these days where there are more sports radio stations than ever, bloggers, social media etc.

The fact you had to go back 20 years to make your point because you couldn't find a more current arguement just says it all.

Canadian teams are being avoided by the majority top players, when it's in their control to, for many reasons. Taxes, weather and less pressure are some of the bigger factors. I don't want this to be an issue, im a Leaf fan, but sadly I don't want to pretend that it isn't an issue either.

Nobody said it was a "massive" factor. At least, not enough to suggest Leaf fans believe it. After all, you're in that Leaf fan boat too, so do you believe it?

Most of us accept it as a detriment, not the single defining factor.
- systemtool

Ah ya you did. "Media and fan pressure play a massive role"....Your words.
I agree it is a factor among many others.
I think winning and a winning environment attract players. The leafs havent had that for a decade or so.
Could toronto turn that around, of course. But they haven't done it yet.
As a leaf can, I know the organization has become a joke, they have a long road in turning that around.

Ah so cute.

I bet that not only took you a while to think of, but you actually thought it was funny as well.
So how many superstar elite players have made it to ufa?
- Fakepartofme

All jokes aside, you are -- by a massive margin -- the most negative person on here.

I don't know why you bother, seriously.

Stop looking for excuses to rub your sick twisted little boner on people.

We've been through this!
- As_I_See_It

It curves to the left; how did you know that?

Ah ya you did. "Media and fan pressure play a massive role"....Your words.
I agree it is a factor amount many others.
I think winning and a winning environment attract players. The leafs havent had that for a decade or so.
Could toronto turn that around, of course. But they haven't done it yet.
As a leaf can, I know the organization has become a joke, they have a long road in turning that around.
- Fakepartofme

They play a massive role in regards to the pressure put on them. Not as massive a role in regards to deciding which teams to play for, though still a big factor nonetheless. In the end, as mentioned, taxes likely play a bigger factor. As well as other factors like weather, ability to compete etc.